By Katherine Mathews
January 2015
Hello AHYA members and fellow Arabian horse competitors!
As 2015 begins, I am getting more and more excited to begin my first year in 14 and Under. My barn is fired up and they are preparing for this exciting new year. I am sure most of you are too! I cannot wait to be back in the show ring! My first show of 2015 is big Scottsdale, which will be my second 14 and Under show. Are any of you going to Scottsdale? With my trusty and loving steeds, Camelot (right photo) and Glory (below), I hope to have a successful and fun year, and maybe win a championship or two! Last year, at Youth, when I was still in 10 and Under, I picked up 5 Top Tens, and I learned to honor my horses for the effort they put into their presentations and be grateful for what they do for me each year. This year I hope to at least be that successful in 14 and Under! The upcoming 2015 show season is getting me fired up and ready to compete, and I hope to have a lot of fun along with making it fun for my horse too!
For every show, I like to think positive and believe in my horse and myself and what we are capable of achieving. I focus on pushing through the boundaries that we face as a team, and reach for something that is challenging, like a championship. Nothing is impossible, and that is the best mindset for me when I’m showing. It’s all in the title: Horse Show. Show them, competitors! You are worthy of the prize, so reach for it, no matter what anybody says! Hope can get you farther than you think. For me, all that matters is having a good time, and every year, that’s exactly what I do! If I have a bad ride, I can try again tomorrow. The gift of having a big, fuzzy, four-legged partner is that he will never leave your side, and knowing that, I feel encouraged and faithful in not just myself, but also in my horse, and that is one of the best feelings in the world. This weekend is the AHANM awards banquet, and I am anxious to see if maybe I got an award or two. You never know! No matter what, I’ll be cheering on my friends who do win awards! This year, I am going to focus on having a great show season with my horses and trust that I can win a ribbon or two. I wish everyone luck this year and I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I’ll see you in the show ring!
About the Author Katherine Mathews is the current Region 8 Treasurer
